With Lionel Messi in tow, Inter Miami needed a manager who would mesh well with the Argentinian superstar in order to keep him happy and surround him with everything he needs to succeed. The man marked for that job is now known, as Gerardo “Tata” Martino was announced as the club’s newest manager on Wednesday.
Martino has a notable yet infamous history with Messi, having managed him while at FC Barcelona during the 2013-2014 season, as well as for two years as the head coach for the Argentina national team. With the latter, Martino saw his home country fall to Chile on penalty kicks in two consecutive Copa America tournaments, the second of which led to a brief international retirement for Messi.
A Rough Chapter in Spain
While with the Blaugrana, Martino failed to win LaLiga and lost the Copa del Rey to Real Madrid. He lasted only a year, with heavy criticism directed towards him from every direction, including from himself.
In an interview with Clarin after he left Barcelona, Martino was particularly harsh towards his performance as manager of not only the club, but Messi as well. When asked if he had been able to teach Messi anything, his answer was brutally honest.
“Nothing. Nothing at all. Not to him or to Barca. I didn’t make any mark on Barcelona, it was a bubble in my career in terms of what I did as a coach. I went to a team that always won and didn’t win anything while I was there. The ‘Supercopa’ is next to nothing for Barcelona.”
A New Chapter in Miami
While honesty and transparency is always welcome, Inter Miami will be hoping to get a more motivated and confident Martino than that version. Before Martino took hold of Barcelona in 2013, reports signaled that Messi had hand-picked Martino.
It didn’t pan out for the two over their time together in the past, but everyone will be hoping “Tata” can finally teach Messi and the club “something” this time around. And finally win a trophy that isn’t a “Supercopa” in the process.